The Rathskeller at Union College has been renovated after it was damaged by flooding. (Provided photo) ORG XMIT: Y6ILoBoAwRQLmsbp0eZK

The Rathskeller at Union College has been renovated after it was damaged by flooding. (Provided photo) ORG XMIT: Y6ILoBoAwRQLmsbp0eZK

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The Rathskeller was originally operated by students. From its inception, the late-night location featured old-fashioned pub fare, student favorites and weekly specials (Photo provided)

The Rathskeller was originally operated by students. From its inception, the late-night location featured old-fashioned pub fare, student favorites and weekly specials (Photo provided)

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Initially named The Dutchman Rathskeller, the Union College eatery has been a popular destination on campus since it opened in 1949. (Photo provided)

Initially named The Dutchman Rathskeller, the Union College eatery has been a popular destination on campus since it opened in 1949. (Photo provided)

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Union College's Rathskeller gets makeover after water damage

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Schenectady

Union College students returning to campus will see a newly renovated Rathskeller.

Located below ground level, the Rathskeller was nearly destroyed in July 2014 when a broken water main flooded it. Water was so high that it nearly reached the ceiling, causing extensive damage and forcing the venue to close for more than a year, according to the Sodexo services company.

The anticipated grand reopening of the Rathskeller will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and kick-off celebration on Sept. 29.

After draining the water, a clean-up team worked to salvage what they could from the pub-style dining venue, including a pop-art mural painted by a student and an 8-foot round table that featured messages carved by students since the 1950s. The pieces were incorporated into the renovations, according to Sodexo. A kitchen, seating and booths, lighting and sound system are also new.

"Students will also find a few new additions, such as a water hydration station and a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine," Sodexo's statement said. "One of the primary goals when designing the new Rathskeller was to update it with modern touches while still maintaining the pub-style ambiance for which it had become famous."

Union College worked with Sodexo and Architecture+ of Troy on the work.